The mortal remains of Lamnunthem Singson, a 26-year-old cabin crew member who tragically lost her life in the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, have been brought back to her home state of Manipur. Due to ongoing ethnic tensions in the region, the body was flown to Dimapur Airport in neighboring Nagaland on Thursday, June 19, 2025, before being transported by road to her family in Kangpokpi district, Manipur.
The Air India flight AI-171, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025. The disaster claimed the lives of 241 people, including passengers and crew members. Among the crew were two young women from Manipur: Lamnunthem Singson, belonging to the Thadou tribal community, and Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma, from the Meitei community.
The decision to receive Singson's body in Dimapur, instead of Imphal Airport, was made due to the prevailing ethnic violence and related security concerns in Manipur. Singson belonged to the Thadou community, which is associated with the Kuki-Zo group. The family, who had been displaced from their original home in Imphal following the outbreak of ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities in 2023, now reside in Kangpokpi district, approximately 160 km from Dimapur.
Family members, community elders, and relatives gathered at Dimapur Airport to receive Singson's mortal remains. The last rites are expected to be performed in Kangpokpi, where local Kuki women are preparing a reception at the family’s home, following prayer sessions and traditional funeral programs. A funeral service is planned for Friday at a public cemetery in Kangpokpi.
The Manipur state government had earlier stated that it would make necessary arrangements to ensure the remains of both crew members were treated with the "highest dignity and respect" and safely returned to their respective homes, but respected the families' wishes regarding the mode of reception and ceremonies.
While Singson's body has been returned home, the remains of Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma, the other crew member from Manipur, are yet to be brought back to the state. Her family is awaiting DNA confirmation in Ahmedabad.
The tragic accident has plunged Manipur into grief, uniting communities across the ethnic divide. Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups have mourned the deaths of both young women, recognizing the immense loss for their families and the state.
The Air India crash in Ahmedabad is reported to be the worst single-aircraft incident in India since 2020. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a probe into the crash and has summoned Air India and Air India Express officials to address safety concerns and operational compliance. Air India has also cancelled 66 Boeing 787 flights following the crash as a safety measure.
